Back in 1959 I was 12 years old, reading hot rod and custom car magazines I always saw ads on the inside front and rear cover pages, of welding machines that plugged into 110 vac house current, I was interested in this as the price for the machine was only $12.95 !! The machine was called , Four Way Welder co. In Chicago, Twin Carbon Arc Welding process, I sent away for it and almost 2 months later it arrived, shipping and mail wasn't very fast back then!! I've never seen welding done before, so after reading the instructions and putting on the cardboard hood, plugged it into the wall, and touched the 2 carbons together, and the Arc "scared the shit out of me" !! I thought I did something wrong ! Then I figured out, well this must be correct or the metal won't melt !! So after getting the adjustment correct it WORKED!!😂 It also came with some 1/16" 6011 rods. I made a big blob of molten metal. Oh boy, I'm a welder !!😂.

Wow, I haven't seen or used carbon arc welding since the 1970's when I couldn't get a stick welder to stop blowing holes in the metal on a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider's door welding in the front window channel. So I did the cave man weld using the Carbon arc method. LMFIAO The best part I used metal Clothing hangers for filler rod.

@Welddotcom

2 ай бұрын

The good old hanger filler rod technique built all kinds of stuff

We used that in vo-ag class back in 76 on a Century ac/dc with a high frequency box on aluminum irrigation pipe, running a bead without any filler rod for a grade when I learned to weld . There's an old one out here in my father in laws shop !! Brings back old memories !

I didn't know electricity was being used for anything like welding that long ago, i just always figured that came around in the 1910's or so

Great! I still use my carbon arc for brazing. Didn't think any one was still using them but the carbons are still available.

I've got a set up like that in the shed. Used it for silver soldering when I didn't have gas. Got the job done.

I have used that process. I have even made my own clamp/gun torch . I've welded and cut with it. Originally I was shooting for a home cooked carbon arc gouger and while researching it all I learned about this old process so I made my own. It's a killer deal and poses multiple uses. If I find my tool, I'll post a pic. Weld on

The problem with a video such as this is it reminds me I was using a carbon arc torch over 50 years ago. A great tool to have around.

This process was abandoned after some time because you’re using these carbon rods which burn up and go right into the weld. Welds may look ok, but were very brittle and would break easily. You can’t fix that using modern welders to supply esoteric frequencies and waveforms. There was no real shielding to these welds either. It’s amazing they worked at all.

@Welddotcom

2 ай бұрын

That is really great info thanks Mel!

@davidmunro2077

2 ай бұрын

It was fine for brazing I used to use it for this in the 1970s saved having oxy/acetylene cylinders

Cool Beans I have dads old arc torch in the shop , now I gotta hook it up !

Your welding table connected to the circuit. It's not supposed to be so. The arc should be between the carbon rods only but you have it between all three points: both rods and detail.

Heck YEA! I HAVE one o those torches, and My dad sued ti for brazing back in the 70's still.

In the mid 60's in Jr high shop we did CR on tombstones, first and only time I used that prossess, yea i'am old 😎, was thinking of finding one and doing it again.

I’m just a hobby guy but I bought The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding and the history of welding early in the book is really interesting. How many guys got fried or burnt learning these old lessons….man..

@Welddotcom

2 ай бұрын

Pretty wild process

Used it for fifty years worked good. Simple and cheap.

@Welddotcom

2 ай бұрын

Right on

I remember my dad’s boss using a twin carbon arc to blast off bolts when he ran out of gas for the torch around 1970

That's a dynosaurus,not even antique,thanks for the experience 🎉❤

@Welddotcom

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Dude we need more of this stuff it's interesting

That was like witchcraft in the 1870s.

I did not know that electric arc welding started in 1874. I know that carbon-arc lighting was from about that time.

@manyhammers5944

Ай бұрын

Moon Towers for city lighting

I've just used mine for heating. Never knew about the rest...

I was about to come down here and suggest atomic hydrogen when you guys said it. Looking forward to it

where can i get my certs on carbon arc welding? asking for a friend ...

Carbon arc torches still have their place. I still use mine on occasion. I think the tombstone was doing just fine. Hooking it up to the Miller was a waste of time.

@adamstreich3007

Ай бұрын

Taking advantage of wave forms and adjustable Hz makes the process even more capable of dialing in. Old meets new- you should try it. Pulse carbon arc

I've always wondered how difficult it would be to rig up a modern TIG machine to do atomic hydrogen welding, I don't know of any real modern use for the process, other than the fact it can produce temperatures high enough to weld the most refractory of metals including tungsten with the capability of very high quality welds approaching that of GTAW or Plasma Arc Welding, leads me to believe it might still have some niche uses.

@adamstreich3007

Ай бұрын

Same , even trying to consider viability of building one and sourcing materials for fun history lesson

@ch0wned

Ай бұрын

@@adamstreich3007 They stopped using it because it’s quite dangerous for the operator. H2 gas is unstable in its own right, and it’s supremely explosive. So rather than continue to accidentally weld hand grenades MIG and TIG have replaced it, for all but probably the most niche uses… but even then I can’t really fathom why.

use two 3/16 7018 at the same time? ... does it need 500amp to run or is 180amp still enough?

What’s the shielding used for this process??

@wrdturkey

2 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. I guess they don't answer questions on this channel.

@adamstreich3007

2 ай бұрын

None. This was before shielding gas. You could use a flux (like for brazing) or with some homemade flux like welding rods. But back then it wasn’t a primary consideration. And the steel was different

@LibertyDankmeme

2 ай бұрын

my guess is CO2 - the carbon rods make it from the air as needed ... just a guess tho don't quote me

@ch0wned

Ай бұрын

Zero… it introduces carbon into the weld, technically.